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William Fletcher (1655 - aft. 1710)

William Fletcher
Born in Puncoteague, Accomack County, Virginiamap
Son of and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married 20 Jan 1674 in Accomack Co, Virginiamap
Descendants descendants
Died after after age 55 in Accomack County, Virginia,map
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Profile last modified | Created 9 Apr 2014
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Contents

Biography

William Fletcher was born about 1646 in Northampton County, Virginia. In a court deposition recorded November 18, 1672 as follows: Deposition of William Fletcher age 26 years: About the middle of Last August, Fletcher accompanied Mr. Edward Grindley between Nuswattox and Occahanock. When Fletcher said that he had heard Greenly (sic) had come in on the ship's account and that Mr. Browne had paid his passage, Greenly replied, "Mr. Browne had paid seven pounds sterling for me." When asked if that wasn't for his passage, Greenly replied, "It was for my passage, but I must pay Mr. Browne again the next year." Signed the 18th November 1672. [1]

Another disposition in 1673 is given. Deposition of William Fletcher aged about 29 years: Sometime during the summer of 1673, Mathew Shippe came to Mrs. Tabitha Brown's house and she asked him the price of a good pair of wheels, Shippe said a good cart and wheels would cost 500 lbs. tobacco, but she wanted only a pair of wheels, "that may do me good service." "Shippe agreed to warrant a pair of wheels for the same price and she agreed. Signed 11 September 1673, William Fletcher. [2]

Sometime in 1674, William married Elizabeth Selby, the daughter of Tobias Selby. This marriage took place in Accomack County and is based on a 1674 land gift. This document was recorded September 11, 1674 and in it, Tobias Selby gave his daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband 150 acres of land. [3]

He received a deed of gift of cattle June 26, 1686 in which his is listed as the eldest son of William Fletcher.

To all people to whom it may concerne I George Thompson late of Accomack County in Virginia Cordwainer Send greetings know ye that I the said George Thompson for ____ well for and in consideration of ye affection and Love which I have boare unto my well beloved ffriend William ffletcher as also for divers other good causes and considerations me at this _____ especially merreing have given and granted and by these presents do give grant and confirme unto ye w ffletchers eldest Sonne William ffletcher his Hiers and assignes one mare coult branded on ye neare Buttock these weds. G T with ye ____ and ____ also one cow calfe of one year old marked ye right eare _______ ye left eare ___ ditto and ye under sides with all the first ______; and allsoe one Small gunn and my Rideing Saddle to be delivered to William ffletcher Son? Unto his ______. To sonne when he turnes to ye years of Eighteen and if he should dye before he comes to ye sd yeares to ____________.[4]

It appears that William Fletcher was very prosperous and well educated. He was a mariner, merchant, constable, surveyor and planter.

Mariner

It was very rare in the 17th Century for anyone to be in possession of a mariner's compass. From his will of 1710, we know that this compass and boat went to his son, Thomas, who was a merchant at Marsh Market in Accomack County. The are two sources which support his role as a mariner.

"Capt. Thomas Welburne brought before the court his servant boy named Robert Ward, who agreed to serve Wilburne seven years from the arrival in April 1699, of the ship, Barbadoes Merchant, of which William Fletcher was commander.[5]

A short description of the vessel shows it was put into service in 1659, weighing 240 tons. So it was a well seasoned ship by the time William Fletcher captained it. Barbadoes Merchant - 240 Tons, Service - 1659, Sailings - 1 [6]

There is a court disposition of William Fletcher who "about the middle of last August, accompanied Mr. Edward Grindley between Nuswattox and Occahanock. It referred to the "ship's account" and that "Mr. Browne had paid his passage." [7]

Sailing during these times was dangerous. The seas were filled with pirates. The British navy offered what protection they could, and recorded the movement of convoys across the Atlantic. One such admiralty record dated 20 November 1693. Protection to William Fletcher with 12 unnamed men of the Vine, 100 tons, from Liverpool to Virginia[8]

William routinely obtained cargoes throughout the Chesapeake Bay area. A Maryland court document describes some trouble with taxing authorities with one of his cargoes.

The Petition of Lievt Colo William Whittington together with John Hendry and Compa Merchts which is as followeth viz.To his Excy Nathaniel Blakiston Esqr Governor in Chief.

William Whittington of Somersett County in the Province afsd in the behalfe of himselfe together with John Hendry & Company of the said County most humbly representeth.

That the last year past I the said Whittington did Ship onBoard the good Ship Barbados Mercht William FletcherComandr twelve hhds of Tobbo which said Ship did Load in Chickonessex Creek in the County of Accomack in Virginia and the said John Hendry on the account of himselfe & Partners (whereof Mr Jas Round was one Concerned) did in the same year Ship on Board the Good Ship Experiment of Liverpool then riding in Pingotoge in Accomack County Cavalier Christian Comander and belonging to Leaverpool seveanty four hhds of Tobo which together with the said twelve hhds were all of the Growth & Production of Maryland, and although Certificates for the same were produced and sent down with the Sloops which Transported the said Tobbacco by the respective Comanders as afd att their Clearing of Said Ships yet the Navall Officer appointed for Accomack District, then being the sd Certificates did not Allow of, so that the Impost of 2s phhd we were Constrained to pay as Virginia Duty before the said Ships Could be Cleared, and Since his Excy Francis Nicholson Esqr his Maty's Governor of Virginia is att present here It is humbly represented to your Excellency That such Measures may be taken as to Yor Excys Wisdom may be thought Expedient,And as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c. May 15th 1701[9]

Cordwainer

William Fletcher was industrious, and like a few other capable Eastern Shore residents, engaged in shoemaking work. The records in 1673 when he gives a deposition about the sale of shoes made in Accomac and sold on the mainland. William describes himself as a "cordwainer,". Cordwainer is defined as someone who takes new leather and makes shoes.. [10]

There was from the middle of the century on, a considerable shoe manufacturing business in Accomack. The most prominent shoe manufacturer for the time was Colonel Edmund Scarburgh, who ran a tannery and had 14 shoemakers in his employment in 1668. References to the Scarburgh family appear frequently in the Fletcher documents. A good description of the shoemaking business in Accomackgives evidence of the fact that there was a considerable shortage of labor, though not of hides, in the shoemaking business in the 1660's and she cites various appeals to England for the importation of shoemakers.[11] this service to the Eastern Shore community. William Fletcher died on December 5, 1710 in Pungoteague, Accomack County, Virginia. His wife, Elizabeth, died on November 8, 1748. [12]

Last Will & Testament

In the name of God Amen The second day of November in the yeare of our Lord God One thousand seven hundred and ten

item I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Fletcher my dearly beloved wife my plantation where on I now dwell with all privileges and posterity during her life and one bed and trunks and one chest
item I give and bequeath unto my son William all my land and plantation where I now dwell and also my great table and couch and the smallest of my red rug to him his heirs and assigns the great shilling
item I give and bequeath unto my son Matthew Fletcher one grey mare bullock and cow one red rug and feather bed and blanquete and one little table and one chest
item I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Fletcher my boat and compass and one iron kettle and one gun
item I give and bequeath unto my two sons Batterton and Brandon Fletcher to each of them one three year old heiffer
item I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Hill one shill of good lawful money to be paid and levied out of my estate
item I give and bequeath to my daughter Dorothy Parker one shilling of good and lawful money to be paid and levied out of my estate
item I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Croucher one shilling of good and lawful money to be levied out of my estate
item I give and bequeath to my daughter Rosanah Fletcher one Gray Mare called Jenny and one Bed and Coverlit and one Pott
item I give and bequeath to my daughter Frances Fletcher one young three year old Un Broken Horse and one Cow and one Iron Pott
item I give and bequeath to My Beloved Wife Elizabeth Fletcher and my six children William, Matthew, Batterton, Brandon, Rosanah, And Frances All :The Rest Of My Estate to be Devided Equally Among Them At The Disposition of my Wife Elizabeth Fletcher Whom With My Son William Fletcher I Constitute Make and Ordaine To Be My Sole Executors Of This My Last Will And Testament All And Singular My Lands By Him Freely To Be Enjoyed And I Doe Hereby Utterly Dissalow ,Revoke, And Disanull All And Every Other Former Testaments, Wills, And Legacys Requests And Executors By Me In Any Wise Before This Time Named Willed Bequeath, Rattifying And Confirming This And No Other To Be My Last Will And Testament
In Witness Where Of I Have Here Unto Set My Hand And Seal The Day And Yeare Above Written Signed, Sealed, Published And Declared As My Last Will And Testament In Ye Presents Of Us Ye Subscribers
Wm. Fletcher (Seal)
Thomas Hall
George Farmer

The Within Last Will of William Fletcher was Proved in Open Court of Accomack County By Ye Oaths of Thomas Hall and George Farmer Ye Witnesses To Ye Same December the 5th. 1710.

Teste: Robt. Ineal c.c. Accomack Recorded Jan. Ye 8th. 1710 Robt. Ineal c.c. [13]

The Fletcher land and home place was just to the south of Pungoteague, Va. Elizabeth's father, Tobias Selby,(variously spelled Selvey in records) had been granted 600 acres of land by patent and he gave 150 acres to Elizabeth and William in 1692. Mr. Selbey gave 50 acres more to them.

Misc Notes

The following information refers to a William Fletcher of Virginia. These references are being included because some of them do actually refer to our Accomack County William Fletcher. . The second charter to the Virginia Company of London, given by King James in 1609, lists "Merchant, John Fletcher," as a member of the company. In 1653, a Lieutenant Colonel George Fletcher was appointed to help settle the peace in Northampton County, which was the original name of the entire eastern shore of Virginia until 1663 when the northern half of the county became Accomac. It is not known if these Fletchers are ancestors of the first William Fletcher from Accomac County.

Ref: FTM CD #187: VA Genealogies #3, 1600s - 1800s - Virginia Colonial Ab- tracts, Vol. 1, Northumbria Collection, 1645 - 1720, A-L, M-Z.

P. 528 - Fletcher, William decd. His land adj'd that sold by Josias White to Rd Smith 17 Dec 1718. 19.3.

P. 616 - Taylor, Lazarus. Deposition. 44 yrs or th..abts. Says in 1703 he a- ppraised the estate of William Fletcher late of this county deceased, etc. 18 July 1711. 18.91.

p. 7 - Witness to the will of Haill, Henry - 18 Oct. 1675 (name listed as William Fletcher, p. 339.

p. 13 - Will of Mitchell, William - 20 Aug. 1685 - 1 Sept. 1685, proved by William Fletcher and John Rowles, p. 406.

p. 17 - Executor of the will of Smally, John - 2 May 1689 - 18 June 1689 (name listed as William Fletcher), p. 497.

William Fletcher service on jury duty:

p. 56 - 4 Apr 1699 - Edmund Allin (attorney: HC (Henry Custis) informed the court that Henry Hill killed a hog that was not his own. Allin requested an order against Hill for the penalty in the 125th Act of Assembly. In his defense, Hill (by his attorney, Tully Robinson) pleaded that he had killed a young unmarked hog, which was lawful for him to do. The jury, however, found for Allin; the court confirmed the verdict and ordered Hill to pay Allin 1000 lbs tobacco and the costs of the suit. The sheriff was to take Hill into custody till he gave security for his future good behavior. John Stanton was foreman of the jury that found for Allin: Wm. Blake, Wm Bradford, Wm. Fletcher, Wm. Jarman, Jno. Jenkins, Jno. Milby, Griffin Savage, Wm. Waile, Stephen Warrington, Wm. White, Wm. Willet. (p.57a)

WILLIAM2 FLETCHER II (WILLIAM1) was born Bet. 1643 - 1646 in Northampton County, Virginia, and died December 05, 1710 in Pungoteague, Accomack County, Virginia. He married ELIZABETH SELBY Bef. January 20, 1673/74 in Accomack County, Virginia, daughter of TOBIAS SELBY and ELIZABETH HAILL. She was born Abt. 1655 in Accomack County, Virginia, and died November 08, 1748 in Accomack County, Virginia.[14]

Ref: Virginia Colonial Records, 1600s - 1700s, English Duplicates of Lost Vir- ginia Records, Quit Rent Rolls, Accomack County, page 128: William Fletcher - 200 acres.

Ref: FTM CD #187: VA Genealogies #3, 1600s - 1800s - Virginia Colonial Ab- tracts, Vol. 1, Northumbria Collection, 1645 - 1720, A-L, M-Z.

P. 528 - Fletcher, William decd. His land adj'd that sold by Josias White to Rd Smith 17 Dec 1718. 19.3.

P. 616 - Taylor, Lazarus. Deposition. 44 yrs or th..abts. Says in 1703 he a- ppraised the estate of William Fletcher late of this county deceased, etc. 18 July 1711. 18.91.

p. 7 - Witness to the will of Haill, Henry - 18 Oct. 1675 (name listed as William Fletcher, p. 339.

p. 13 - Will of Mitchell, William - 20 Aug. 1685 - 1 Sept. 1685, proved by William Fletcher and John Rowles, p. 406.

p. 17 - Executor of the will of Smally, John - 2 May 1689 - 18 June 1689 (name listed as William Fletcher), p. 497.

p. 129 - 7 July 1685, Will Fletcher was a member of the grand jury sworn for the ensuing year.

p. 141 & 142 - Accomack County Court -- 4 February 1685/86 - Wm Fletcher was a member of the grand jury.

p. 169 - William Fletcher was appointed constable in the place of Henry Selman. Fletcher was to go to the nearest magistrate to be sworn. (p.96) - 8 September 1686.

p. 175 & 177 - Accomack County Court -- 1 December 1686 - Will. Fletcher was sworn in as a member of the grand jury.

p. 195 & 201 - Accomack County Court -- 16 March 1686/87 - The estate of Tho. Deacon was inventoried and sold at auction. The inventory listed tobacco (in the hands of James Longoes, John Whitehead, and Will Fletcher) and clothing, tools, and corn; the total value was 1800 lbs tobacco. At the auction purchases were made by Geo. Charnock ( a cotton suit for 40 lbs tobacco), Tho. Taylor (2 blue shirts for 36 lbs tobacco), Cha. Roberts ( a parcel of hanging tobacco for 626, and an old silk neck cloth for 8 lbs tobacco), and Tom and John Shepherd (a parcel of Indian corn for 130 lbs tobacco). (p. 113a)

p. 274 & 280 - Accomack County Court -- 18 June 1689 - Henry Selman had moved that Mr. Nathaniel Littleton and John Rowles be appointed to appraise the estate of William Chace (deceased). Since that time, however, Littleton had moved from the county. Now the court appointed William Fletcher and Michael Rickets to appraise the estate before the next court. (p. 162a)

p. 288 & 289 - Accomack County Court -- 19 November 1689 - In an order obtained 18 June 1689, by William Fletcher (executor of the estate of John Smally, deceased), an order for appraisal and inventory of the estate had been omitted. Ordered that John Walthum and Daniel Darby go to the nearest magistrate to be sworn and then appraise and inventory the estate with a report to be given at the next court. (p. 168a)

p. 291 & 295 - Accomack County Court -- 21 November 1689 - Deposition of Wm. Fletcher aged about 46 years: In August of '86, Mrs. Mathew James "told (me) she would tell me news that Mr. Gorg Hack had a bull come out of England, and we shall have bad times." Signed and sworn in open court 21 November 1689, by Wm. Fletcher.

p. 327 & 328 - Accomack County Court -- 16 June 1691 - Deed: For 2000 lbs tobacco, Abraham Taylor, Jr., free planter, and his wife Sarah sold William Fletcher, free planter, the 50 acres that Taylor had acquired through marriage to Sarah, one of the daughters of John Smalley, "late of the county (of Accomack)." The land adjoined the land of William Fletcher, Bridget Smally, Willian Andrews and Elizabeth Smally. Signed 24 August 1689, by Abraham (AT) Taylor, Jr. Witnesses: John Simcokes, William (WA) Alford and Mordecay Roger. Taylor acknowledged the deed in open court on 16 June 1691. (p. 203)

p. 349 & 350 - Accomack County Court -- 23 September 1692 - Deed: Owen Colloney, Sr., planter, gave his daughter Esther Sill (wife of William Sill) 200 acres between Nanduey and Occahannock Creeks. If she died childless, the land would revert to Colloney. Signed 15 November 1692, Owen (OC) Colleny. Witnesses: Tho. Middleton, Wm. Fletcher and Steven Warrington. (p. 255a)

The Church of England imposed a tax called a Tithable for the support of the parish church and rector. These records are preserved in Tithable's Lists

p. 320, 323 & 324 - The list of tithables in Accomack County for 1690 - Mr. Richd. Bally's precincts: Wm. Fletcher - 1
p. 336 & 340 - The list of tithables for Accomack County for 1691: - Mr. Rich. Bally's precincts: Wm. Fletcher - 2
p. 351 & 353 -The list of tithables for Accomack County for 1692: - Capt. Bally's precincts: Wm. Fletcher - 5

Accomack County Virginia Court Order Abstracts, 1697 - 1703, JoAnn Riley Mckey - Heritage Books, Inc.:

p. 56 - 4 Apr 1699 - Edmund Allin (attorney: HC (Henry Custis) informed the court that Henry Hill killed a hog that was not his own. Allin requested an order against Hill for the penalty in the 125th Act of Assembly. In his defense, Hill (by his attorney, Tully Robinson) pleaded that he had killed a young unmarked hog, which was lawful for him to do. The jury, however, found for Allin; the court confirmed the verdict and ordered Hill to pay Allin 1000 lbs tobacco and the costs of the suit. The sheriff was to take Hill into custody till he gave security for his future good behavior. John Stanton was foreman of the jury that found for Allin: Wm. Blake, Wm Bradford, Wm. Fletcher, Wm. Jarman, Jno. Jenkins, Jno. Milby, Griffin Savage, Wm. Waile, Stephen Warrington, Wm. White, Wm. Willet. (p.57a)

Source: Wills & etc. 1682-1687, p. 172, Accomack County, Virginia Court House:

The Deposition of William Fletcher aged Forty Six years there about. Ye deponst showeth that Ms. Mathew James tould ye deponst She would tell me news that Mr. George Hack had a Bull come out of England and we shall have bad times & ye deponst did here her say ye aforesaid words ye year 86 in August Month, And Further Remembereth Not At Present. Sworn in open court ye 24th. Day of 168?

Regarding transports to Virginia in the early 17th century

In the early 1600s, England was encouraging the transport of subjects to the American colonies in exchange for land. The colony of Virginia was a prime area for these adventures. The following was a decree from the Governor and Capt. General of Virginia. Referenced material from Virginia Colonial Records is subsequently listed.

By the Governor and Capt. General of Virginia

To all whome these presents shall come I John Pott Esqr. Governor and Capt. Generll, of Virginia send greeting in our Lord God Everlasting Whereas by an order of Court made the twelfth day of January one thowsand six hundred twentie six It was thought fitt and accordingly ordered that such servants tennants and planters as have noe land belonging unto them by Adventure purchase or otherwise should have a Competent qunatitie of ground graunted unto them in convenient and secure places Now Know yee that in consideration hereof I the said John Pott doe by these prsents with the consent of the Councell of State graunt devise and frame lett unto ____ To have and to hold the said ____ acres of land with the appertenances unto the said ____ his Executors Admrs. and assignes from the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle now last past for and during the terme of tenn yeares from thence next ensuing fully to bee Compleate and ended. Yeilding and paying therefore yearely unto the rent gatherers appointed for the publique use at the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle three pownd wight of good and Merchantable Tobacco. Provided alwaies that the said ____ his Executors or assignes shall alwaies during the said terme sufficiently people and plant the said land that thereby the place may bee better strengthened and secured. In Witness &c. (P.B.1, p.97).[15]

Sources

  1. Accomack County Virginia Court Order Abstracts, 1673 - 1676, Vol. 4,pp 101-102 JoAnn Riley McKey
  2. Accomack County Virginia Court Order Abstracts, 1673 - 1676, Vol. 4,p 67 JoAnn Riley McKey
  3. Accomack County Court Book, Orders, Wills &c 1671-1673, p. 149).
  4. Accomack County, Virginia Deeds 1676-1690, p. 438
  5. " Accomack County Court Order Abstracts, 1694-1703," compiled by JoAnn Riely McKay
  6. "Lands of the East, The East India Company," - East India Company Ships, London Martime Press 1981
  7. Accomack County, Virginia Court Orders from 1671-1673
  8. Virginia Colonial Records, Public Record Office Class ADM 2/13 Orders and Instructions, Commissioners of the Admiralty - 4 Oct 1693 - 20 Jan 1694: page 225
  9. Maryland State Archives Vol. 24, p.146 Assembly Proceedings http://aomol.net/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000024/html/am24--146.html Volume 24, Page 146Maryland ss.
  10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordwainer
  11. "Studies of the Virginia Eastern Shore in the eventeenth Century," Susie B. Ames,Dietz Press, Richmond, 1940, pp. 132-39.
  12. http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/g/r/e/Gerald-Fletcher-Greene/BOOK-0001/0003-0002.html
  13. Will of William Fletcher 8th January 1710'Will Book 1692-1715' P.7 Probated 5 December 1710 Accomack Va.
  14. http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/g/r/e/Gerald-Fletcher-Greene/BOOK-0001/0003-0002.html
  15. Virginia Colonial Records, 1600 - 1700s, Cavaliers and Pioneers, Patent Book 1, Part 1, page 13.
  • Ref: Bristol and America, A Record of the First Settlers in the Colonies of North America 1654 - 1685, transcribed by R. Hargreaves-Mawdsley and printed in London, England, 1929 and 1931. Reprinted by the Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland, 1967: In this text are the names with place of origins of more than 10,000 servants who were sent to Foreign Plantations. Departing from the Port of Bristol, England and arriving in Virginia, Maryland and other areas of the Atlantic coast from 1654 to 1685. The list of individuals was compiled and published from the records of the Corporation of the City of Bristol, England. In this list is a Fletcher, William (ffletcher), original residence: not listed, Destination: Virginia, page in original document: 486, Ship: not given.
  • Ref: FTM CD #350: The Complete Book of Immigrants, 1607 - 1776 and Immigrants in Bondage, 1614 - 1775, from the Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc.Sec 111, Ch. 3, 1662 - The Complete Book of Immigrants- 8 May 1662 -- The following apprenticed in Bristol: William Fletcher to James Wathen -- 8 years, Virginia.
Sec 111, Ch. 9, 1668 - The Complete Book of Immigrants ------- 6 Oct 1668 -- The following apprenticed in Bristol: William Fletcher to James Clifton -- 4 years, Virginia.




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Fletcher-3945 and Fletcher-3493 appear to represent the same person because: There are enough similarities between these profiles to warrant closer examination to see if they are the same person. Not any relative of my Fletchers, but I'm just sayin'--
posted by Bob Nichol

Rejected matches › William Fletcher Jr. (1657-1712)

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